Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
152. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Transport the licence that is required in order to drive an e-bike on public roads; the training that will be required prior to obtaining a licence; the speed restrictions and age restrictions, if any, that will apply for e-bikes to be used on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60668/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Traffic and Roads Bill, currently before the Oireachtas, will clarify the legal position of high-powered and low-powered e-bikes, to provide certainty to the growing cohort of e-bike users in Ireland on the status of their vehicles.
In line with European type-approval legislation governing vehicle categories, high-powered e-bikes (those with more powerful engines or solely powered by the electric motor) will be considered light mopeds (L-category (mechanically propelled vehicles). Accordingly, they will be required to be registered, taxed and insured, as for any other kind of mechanically propelled vehicle. Users will require a driver’s licence and any required training for L-category vehicles and the relevant rules of the road for mopeds and motorbikes will apply.
The current arrangements for low-powered, pedal assist e-bikes up to 250W and speeds of 25 km/h - that they are treated under road traffic legislation in the same way as pedal cycles - will be unchanged. This kind of e-bike will continue to be exempt from registration, taxation, insurance and licensing and the rules of the road for bicycles will continue to apply.
My officials have engaged with the Revenue Commissioners, the vehicle registration authority for the State, and have confirmed the need to register high-power and power-on-demand e-bikes that have appropriate EU type-approval certification. Where a high-power or and power-on-demand e-bike does not have EU type-approval certification, it will not be legal for use on Irish roads.
